Chapter 19: Naomi

Compared to the first three the fourth pod was relatively painless to reach. Nestled in the backyard of a ravaged home the pod pulsated the same blue light as those Spencer approached before it. The high privacy fence remained intact around the perimeter of the yard. It wouldn’t actually offer any protection should a monster detect them behind it, but it would at least stop them from being seen straight away. The immaculate grass bowed gently under the mysterious weight of the pod. Spencer looked over to Sarah and Beatrice. With no active threat around to occupy their attention, both engies surveyed the pod with narrow eyes.

It wasn’t wholly unexpected that they would be apprehensive about a new team member. Spencer suspected it would be like this every time he came across a new pod.

Open and clear communication. Spencer avowed once more in his head.

“You two okay with this?” He asked the pair while nodding at the pod.

They both shifted under his gaze. Sarah’s carefully maintained expressions grew easier to read by the day. She was slightly embarrassed.

“Of course commander.” The swordswoman bowed her head. “I said I would support you and whoever you bring on. I suppose I’m just concerned we’ll recruit someone… less agreeable than ourselves.”

Beatrice nodded by her side. Spencer frowned.

“I thought engies were designed to follow their commander’s orders? That’s what all three of you have been like so far.” He voiced his assumption aloud.

Sarah sighed. “Yes well… that’s how it should be and how most of us are, but there are… rare exceptions that tend to live by their own code and follow orders when it suits them.”

Spencer shrugged. “Well I can’t move on with my quest until I retrieve these last two pods. I think we’ll have to risk it.”

Sarah dipped her head again. “Yes commander.”

Beatrice turned her whiteboard to Sarah and Spencer only caught a brief glimpse of the question written there.

‘Did the commander say all three of us? Who’s the third?’

Spencer pretended not to notice. He was about to meet his newest team member and didn’t want heavy thoughts of failure to be painted on his face when that pod opened. Sarah obviously shared Spencer’s worry.

“I’ll explain later. Stand by the back door while I guard the side gate.” She whispered to the shorter girl before they both retreated to their determined points.

A familiar mist poured out right after his hand made contact with the smooth metallic surface. Spencer’s heart sounded incredibly loud in his ears and he subconsciously wiped away some sweat built up from around the collar of his shirt.

I need a shower. Spencer sighed internally at the thought.

 He’d changed clothes last night, but he hadn’t bathed at all since this whole mess started. All of the running, hiding, fighting, and sitting in the late spring heat probably made him stink something awful.

I’ll have to apologize to everyone later. Spencer grimaced and pulled at his rumpled clothes.

Tall. That was the first thing Spencer noticed about the figure that stepped out of the pod. Andrea had already been taller than he was, but this engie had to be almost six foot five even without the high heels she wore. Purple was her dominant color. Lighter than Sarah’s highlights, but still dark and commanding as she stepped into view. Purple slacks, a purple dress coat that hung down past her knees, a clean immaculate dress shirt complete with purple tie, and glasses perched on her nose. Overall she looked more like a young and powerful CEO than a biologically engineered human. 

Silver eyes flashed behind her glasses as she made eye contact with Spencer. Her stained lips curled into a sultry grin. Her long silver hair fluttered over her shoulder as some type of mechanical drone detached itself from her shoulders and hovered right above her head.

Her aura was commanding and her attention heavy. She projected confidence and had a body to match. Her businesswear stretched tight over her stacked chest and ample hips. She angled herself towards Spencer as if daring him to look closer at her curves.

“Such a wonderful evening to meet you commander. Let Naomi take over from here.”

Her voice dripped with honey and a maturity that demanded respect. Spencer swallowed his fear and stepped forward.

“The pleasure is mine, Naomi. Welcome to the team.” Spencer held out a hand.

Whether he was offering her a handshake, a hug, or simply assistance stepping away from the pod behind her, he wasn’t sure. Naomi leaned down, pupils dilating as she inspected Spencer’s face closer than he expected her to. Instead of taking his hand she simply draped her arms over Spencer’s shoulder.

“So polite.” Naomi purred. “Do you flirt with all your little toys or am I just special?”

Sarah cleared her throat by the side gate.

“Right.” Spencer swallowed and pulled back slightly.

The corners of Naomi’s eyes twitched, but it was gone so fast Spencer wasn’t sure he actually saw anything.

“Naomi, this is Sarah, our lovely jack of all trades, and Beatrice, our beautiful deflection specialist.” Spencer introduced the other two engies in turn from their position near the backyard entrances.

Naomi’s eyes narrowed slightly at the terms of endearment Spencer used.

“Charmed I’m sure.” Naomi dipped her head to each team member.

A strange tension fell over the quiet yard as the genetically engineered humans wordlessly sized each other up.

“Will we be moving tonight, commander?” Sarah asked, her eyes still on the newcomer.

The evening light from over the horizon was rapidly fading as the waning hours of the day ticked by. The last light in the sky pinpointing his final engie was off to the west, closer to the mountain range that separated them from Los Angeles and, more importantly, the pillar. 

Too far to try and tackle tonight. He eyed the home they were right behind and spotted window wells that indicated the house had a basement.

“Secure the structure. Sarah if you could sweep the upstairs while Beatrice and Naomi clear the ground floor. Once secure, meet up with me in the basement. That’s where we’ll stay the night.” Spencer unslung his rifle and checked the chamber for a loaded round.

Sarah and Beatrice approached the back door without question while Naomi eyed Spencer’s hunting rifle.

“I’m not suited for room to room fighting, commander.” The tall woman made a small gesture with one hand and the drone above her settled onto her shoulders once more.

The mechanical companion latched securely to subtle anchor points around her shoulder blades. A mechanical whirl sounded as the device spread out to reveal two wide barrels bobbing on her strong shoulders. Blasters of some kind. Certainly not tech from this world.

“You’re a ranged attacker?” Spencer surmised.

Naomi nodded. “I’m afraid I can dish out a lot more than I can take, darling. I’m much more accustomed to leveling buildings rather than fighting through them.”

“Noted. There hasn’t been any sound or movement inside since we’ve been here, but stay close to Beatrice just in case. If a fight does break out we’ll exit the house as fast as possible.”

“Will do, commander.” Naomi fell in behind Beatrice who smiled at her warmly.

Naomi’s lips turned upwards, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes like Beatrice’s did.

The sweep of the house was quick and efficient. The unfinished basement had simple concrete floors, bare support beams, and exposed insulation. It wasn’t the most inviting place, but being beneath ground, even partially, felt a lot safer than the mall had. 

“Less bloodstains.” Spencer reasoned to himself while he fumbled for the bare lightswitch by the stairs.

The switch clicked upwards, but no light came on. Spencer flipped it a few more times to be certain.

“Is it just the basement or…” He took the stairs two at a time and hit the lightswitch in the kitchen.

Nothing. Peering out of the front windows confirmed Spencer’s growing suspicions. Lancaster was dark. No more street lights, no more store signs, and all windows lacked any artificial illumination. The power grid had finally failed completely. Lights reflected off clouds to the North, most likely Edwards Air Force Base. Spencer let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding.

So there was still power outside of the pillar’s sphere of influence. That’s good. 

Still, it probably wouldn’t be long before the water supply was cut off too. Spencer filled up what bottles they had in the sink before heading back down to the basement.

All three engies made their way down and reported no monsters on the premises. Sarah and Beatrice helped Spencer unpack the large bags they brought from the sporting goods store. Thin sleeping pads and the sleeping bags themselves weren’t going to do much to make concrete very comfortable, but it was certainly better than nothing. Spencer was glad he had the foresight to grab four bags total. It wouldn’t be enough for a full team in the future, but with maintaining a rotating watch overnight it should be sufficient.

Naomi looked perplexed. “Why are there multiple sleeping bags?”

‘Have you not informed the commander that we only need to sleep once every few days?’ Beatrice asked Sarah with an equally curious tilt of her head.

“I know you may not need it, but I think it’s important for everyone to be as rested as possible.” Spencer cut in before Sarah could respond. “We all take turns keeping watch while everyone else sleeps.”

“When you say ‘we’ surely you mean the pretty faces around you.” Naomi crossed her arms over her tight button up shirt.

Beatrice frowned at Naomi’s tone, but nonetheless shared a similar viewpoint.

‘The commander’s rest is far more important.’

“I won’t ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t do.” Spencer dusted his hands off like he was closing the argument. “Sarah, if you could take the first watch, I’ll take the second, and Beatrice can take the third. Three hour shifts.”

Naomi’s expression tightened. “Will we be able to hear our mute little doll here? Perhaps there’s a bell we can put around her neck to make her more noticeable.”

Beatrice visibly flinched at her muteness being so blatantly called out. Even though she put on a brave face, Spencer could see the comment really bothered her.

“Naomi.” Spencer stepped forward and glared at her. “Beatrice has saved my life multiple times today. I won’t hear our newest member question the ability of someone who’s already proven herself vital to our team.”

The blue haired deflection specialist’s face turned a deep shade of red. Her crestfallen expression being immediately replaced by a wide smile that she valiantly tried to hide behind her shield.

I’ll need to make sure and compliment individual team members throughout the day for their efforts. If my simple words meant that much to Beatrice I’m sure others will want to hear the same type of positive feedback. Spencer’s mind noted even as Naomi uncrossed her arms with a huff.

“I was just… Yes… commander.” Her words sounded like they physically hurt her to say.

Why does it feel like she’s angry I’m not treating Beatrice worse for being mute? Spencer mused internally.

It was certainly an odd reaction and the way she was glaring at him now could only be interpreted as anger. It wasn’t the first time Spencer had started to doubt if a new engie actually had affection for him. With Sarah it was simply hard to read her expressions and body language, but the longer he spent around Naomi the more the slightly older girl seemed to hate him.

“Commander,” Sarah interjected by the steps leading upstairs. “Would it perhaps be prudent to have Naomi assist me with the first watch while you and Beatrice settle in for the evening?”

“Uh, actually, I need her down here with me.” Spencer grew a bit nervous.

“Of course.” Naomi rolled her eyes. “Gotta break me in. Is there something you need me to wear, Darling? Or should I just strip now?”

“What?” Spencer blinked. “No that’s not… I was going to explain to you two why you’re in my world and why I’m your commander. It’s a conversation I already had with Sarah so I thought it would be a good time to catch everyone else up.”

Spencer caught a brief glimpse of Beatrice’s white board before she hastily erased it with feverish breathing.

Did that say, ‘I’m fine going second’ in response to what Naomi said? Surely not right? Spencer felt his cheeks flush. And why is Naomi glaring at me all the time yet expecting me to treat her like a casual fling?

It wasn’t lost on Spencer that he had yet to see Naomi’s information appear in his system. Beatrice’s own card had been delayed too. He had only been shown the deflection specialist’s character details after he gained her trust. Is that what he would need to do with Naomi? Was there something preventing her from trusting him yet?

“Understood, commander.” Sarah’s eyes flickered to Naomi briefly. “... Are you sure you don’t want me to be present for this conversation?”

Spencer shook his head. “It’s fine. Head on upstairs and find a good place to keep watch.”

Beatrice took a seat on her sleeping bag. Her shield settled behind her as a pseudo backrest and she gazed expectantly up at Spencer. Naomi remained standing, her eyes guarded.

Spencer took a deep breath. No secrets. Everything on the table.

He started to explain everything from the beginning.